Finishing October Without A Bang

Well, a month into the season and here we are again. That feeling of, "What do they have to do to win a game?" is back. This is NOT the time to hit the big red panic button.

The facts are the Isles started 3-1-0, but went 0-3-2 since then.

In their last game, the Isles were on the wrong end of a tough call in OT, which might have cost them the game. Everyone seemed to know what happened, except for the guys in stripes.

Photo Credit: sports.yahoo.com

On a positive note from this game, oft injured goalie Rick DiPietro started, and played very well, allwoing 2 goals throughout regulation. The Isles powerplay got 2 goals in the second period, and they peppered Thomas Greiss with 37 shots. Overall a great game, but just an unfortunate outcome.

Photo Credit: Newsday

The Islanders have also yet to win a road game. Their best chance came in Pittsburgh last week when, after a rare Matt Martin goal, the Isles were up 2-0 in the third period. The Penguins came back and tied it against Evgeni Nabokov, who had been playing great. The game went to a shootout, and for some reason unknown at that point, Evgeni Nabokov simply left the game and Rick DiPietro came in for his first game action of the season. Even Isles announcer Howie Rose was baffled. He said, in complete shock, "What in the wide world of sports is going on here?!?!?" DiPietro played fine in the shootout, allowing a goal to Evgeni Malkin on a move that had DiPietro sliding before the puck left Malkin's stick. Unfortunately for him, the Isles couldn't match it.


The bottom line is, the Isles are not playing badly, they are just not winning. Their penalty kill ins #8 in the league. The power play is #10 in the league, both solid numbers. If these numbers continue to stay the way they are, the Isles will be fine. There is no reason to panic.

For the first time in 15 years, the Islanders host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, and that should make for a great game as last year the Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers always played close, competative games. It's early, and eventually this will all work itself out.

Lets Go Islanders!!!

Studs and Duds

Well, here we are again, off to a fast start. The season is in full swing, hockey is back, and the Isles have shown plenty of promise through the first 5 games. There has been a share of highs and a share of lows. Now let's take a look at some of the players and their impact on the Isles 3-2-0 start.

Studs: 

John Tavares-After a quiet first 2 games, Tavares just exploded in the next two. Against Tampa Bay, it started with a fortunate bounce, and it ended with another goal and two more assists after one period. A couple days later against the hated Rangers...


Hopefully this is a sign of what things will be like the next few years on the Island. If he can continue at the pace he is at, then the sky is the limit for the former top draft pick.

Mark Streit-The captain is back. The Isles really missed their captain last year and his presence was felt quickly. In the game against Minnesota, Streit made a beautiful pass to set up a Frans Nielsen goal. He is the leader of the power-play and as you can see in the video above, he is responsible for most of the chances. He's completely healthy, and hopefully he will get back to the All-Star form he was at a few seasons ago. Welcome Back Mark Streit!






Jack Capuano's Gut- Apparently Jack Capuano knows something that we all don't. On opening night, he suprised everyone by naming Al Montoya starter. He stuck with the hot hand for the first 3 games, and Montoya allowed only 4 goals, winning 2 of his first 3 starts. Then, when everyone thought Montoya was going to get the start against his former club, his gut feeling changed. Was it what he ate for lunch, or was he on to something? Evgeni Nabokov, who hung up on Garth Snow, got the start and played like the Evgeni Nabokov from San Jose, stopping all but 2 Ranger shots and leading to an Islanders victory.


Duds: 
The Entire Third Line-On paper, the third line of Josh Bailey centering Brian Rolston and Blake Comeau looked pretty good. But except for a couple Brian Rolston power-play assists, this line has been very ineffective. In fact, Comeau has been a healthy scratch the last two games to give Trevor Gillies time in the lineup. With goal scorer Comeau, veteran leader Rolston, and Bailey in the middle, this line better figure something out otherwise head coach Jack Capuano might need to jumble up some lines.















Rick DiPietro-I really hate to be mean like this, but I am really starting to become less of a Rick DiPietro fan. From a side note, the most productive thing Brian Rolston has done so far this season has hit DP in the mask with a shot during practice. This gave DP a concussion, and he has yet to play this season. Hopefully, his case can be like Sidney Crosby's, with many setbacks and problems. With Nabokov and Montoya healthy, why even waste time on DP?



Only 5 games into the season, it isn't a lost cause yet, and there is still hope. Things are starting to get back to normal, especially since DP is injured again. My guess, Evegeni Nabokov starts tomorrow in Florida. But, with Jack Capuano's changing gut, you never know. Let's see how this goes.


Lets Go Islanders!!!

My First Game

Right now, I'm going to break away from my normal blog entries and focus on a story that came back to me earlier about my first Isles game.

"Welcome to the game." An usher greeted me, handed me my ticket, and I was standing inside Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the first time. 

The actual ticket from my first game

It was October 28, 2001 and my father and I were going to an Islanders game, my first one ever. Since I was only 7 years old, I didn't really have much of an idea of what hockey was or who the Islanders were. It was the beginning of what would become a life-long passion. 

After an usher showed my father and I our seats, I sat down and got my first glimpse of the Coliseum ice. For a 7 year old kid, that sight was pretty mesmerizing. When warm-ups began I sat in my seat fixated on the team wearing the cool green jerseys. Not knowing any better, I thought those guys were the good guys. Later on, when they entered the ice for the game, I started cheering. Only then my father told me I was rooting for the Islanders opponent, the Dallas Stars. (They do have a good jersey though.) Then, my father explained to me that the team in white jerseys was the good guys, they were the New York Islanders. (Plain, traditional jerseys, I personally like the new ones.) From then, I was an Islander fan. 

Most of the game is a blur to me, but I do remember some of it. I remember that when the Islanders scored, a loud annoying horn blasted and everyone in the stadium went crazy. I remember being annoyed by the horn, and I also remember at my next game a few months later, I knew the words to the song perfectly. 

The game went by, and the score was 2-2 going into sudden death overtime. Remember when there were ties? I sure do. If nobody scored in the overtime, the game would have ended 2-2. But then Islanders captain Mike Peca ended it quickly. The Isles won it in overtime 3-2 and the place went bonkers. (Don't believe me, the box score is right HERE.)  

On my way out, an usher, who must have been told by my dad that it was my first game, handed me a puck. Now looking at it, it is nothing more than a blank black puck with an Islanders logo sticker on it, as you can see. It was a great souvenir to end a great day. 

That day was nearly a decade ago, and that season was a big year for the Islanders. They made the playoffs for the first time in a while. In the playoffs Shawn Bates delivered one of the most famous moments in Isles history. Everyone on that team no longer plays for the Islanders, and current GM Garth Snow was sitting on the bench watching. 

Now, a decade later the Isles are facing an uncertain future, but one think is for sure, there will be hockey RIGHT NOW on the Island at the Coliseum. Let's go win one for the team a decade ago that just couldn't. 

Lets Go Islanders!!!! 

First Of Hopefully Not Too Many

If you have been watching the Isles rookie game tonight against the Bruins rookies on the Islanders website, you probably noticed 2 things. 


1. There is a new logo on center ice. Not just the same Islanders logo that's always been there, but a newer logo to commemorate 40 years of Islanders hockey, similar to the logo seen below, which will also be a patch on the Islanders jerseys this season. 

2. Rhett Rakhshani, who appeared in a couple games for the Isles last season, left the game with a concussion and will be re-evaluated tomorrow. Let's hope he is fine, and doesn't have setbacks like superstar Sidney Crosby. Get better Rhett, the Isles may need you soon. 





Lets Go Islanders! 

What Now?

Alright, August 1 has passed, and we all know what happened. But what happens now? If you are an Islander fan, what should you be looking forward to?

As owner Garth Snow has said, the new arena dilemma now will not be the top priority for him and for most of the Islanders staff. Their new priority is on this upcoming year, and the future for the hockey season has never looked brighter than it does right now. Let's put the facts out there.

• Infamous goalie Evgeni Nabokov says he WILL report to Islanders training camp in September. This said, he will have a chance to compete for a job with the Isles, although Rick DiPietro (contract for life) and Al Montoya (great job last year) look to have the spots on the Isles locked up. This means that he could be worth more in the trade market than as a goalie. Whichever way this goes, the Isles should improve because of it. 
• The Islanders improved their power-play by trading for veteran forward Brian Rolston. He has one heck of a slap-shot, and he should be ready to unload it. Brian also can provide some veteran leadership to one of the youngest clubs in the NHL. 
• After missing all of last year due to a fluke injury in a inter-squad game, veteran defenseman Mark Streit is coming back. We all know what he can do, and hopefully he can be a leader on and off the ice. In my mind, Mark Streit is the next captain of the New York Islanders.

This may not be something to look forward to, but if you have not heard yet, and I can't confirm if this is actually happening, but the Islanders may be getting new sweaters, as you can see below: 

I don't know what to make of these, but if the Isles win while wearing then, so what? 

Training camp is around the corner, and you can't have a good season without a good training camp. Let's see how this all plays out, and for now let's focus on what happens on the ice. 

Lets Go Islanders!!!

2011-2012 Line Combinations

Well, as Islander fans have been for such a long time, we can look forward to the future. But, how exactly will next year's team look. Here's what I think the 2011-2012 Islanders depth chart will look like. Keep in mind that active NHL rosters can only contain 20 players. (12 forwards, 6 defensemen, 2 goalies.)

Time for now full time head coach Jack Capuano to make some tough decisions.

Forward Line 1:

PA Parenteau----John Tavares---Matt Moulson 

This line was together for most of this past season, and they produced. Tavares, Moulson, and Parenteau were first, second, and third, respectably, in scoring for the Isles this past season.  Taking apart this line would be a shame, as JT is primed to be one of the NHL's top scorers. This line could be together for years to come.

Forward Line 2:

Michael Grabner---Frans Nielsen---Kyle Okposo

Ever since Kyle Okposo returned to the lineup, this line was formed and they stayed together for the rest of the year. This line flat out has everything. Frans Nielsen could be a future Selke Trophy, which goes to the best defensive forward in the league. Also, you can't forget about Nielsen's unstoppable penalty shot. Michael Grabner came out of nowhere to become the NHL's fastest skater at the All-Star game. He also scored a team leading 34 goals and seemed to get a breakaway a game. Then there is the man who I think is going to wear the "C" on his jersey next year, Kyle Okposo. This line is a great line and, if together, will produce. Now things start to get interesting.

Forward Line 3:

Trent Hunter---Josh Bailey---Blake Comeau

This line is up in the air. But it is a great scoring line. This season, Comeau and Bailey emerged as great scorers, with Comeau scoring 24 goals and Bailey getting 17 assists. This line also has a man who has played with the Islanders for the past TEN years, Trent Hunter. when he's healthy, Trent is a big physical presence and he has a great slap-shot. I really would like to see these guys on a line, it would be exciting for everyone.

Forward Line 4:

Matt Martin---Micheal Haley---Trevor Gillies

This 4th line is up for grabs. But, the line that I have chosen is a good one. First off, you have the fighting ability of all three of these guys. Then you have the offensive skill of all three of them. They may not be prominent goal scorers, but they get their chances. Haley is coming off a short stint with the Isles at the end of the season, and he became a fan favorite within about 3 hours of being called up because of his fight against Penguins goalie Brent Johnson. Gillies is and has always been a fan favorite, and the Islanders love him, so he will probably be staying. Matt Martin also had a solid rookie season, impressing Isles fans.


Defense Line 1:


Mark Streit---Radek Martinek

Now, if you have been clicking on the player's names in this entry, you may have noticed that the highlights are all goals, except for Radek Martinek. He's been an Islander for the past decade, and yet John Tavares scored more goals this season than Martinek scored in his whole career. When Martinek gets the chance to shoot, he lets off a great shot, but his known for his great defensive and physical play. On the other hand, there is Mark Streit. He missed all of last season after a collision with Matt Moulson during the team's inter squad game. When he returns, he will be in charge of the power-play, and he can shoot. In his first year as an Islander, 08-09, he led the team in points with 56. He is the Islanders top defenseman, and if he is healthy, watch out.

Defense Line 2:

Travis Hamonic---Andy MacDonald

At the start of last season, Travis Hamonic was in Bridgeport and Andy MacDonald was going to be the #2 defenseman. However, things change fast, and after the Islanders traded James Wisniewski, these two men were the Islanders top defensemen. They were phenomenal and proved that they deserved to be the top pair. Next year, I hope they stay together in the NHL, even though they won't be the top pair. Hamonic looked like a seasoned veteran at points last year, maturing very quickly. All of this while MacDonald showed why the Isles have stuck with him until this point. These guys need to stay together.

Defense Line 3:

Mark Eaton---Milan Jurcina

This third defenseman pear is also up in the air, but these two people deserve to be on the team. Mark Eaton is a great defensive defenseman and playoff veteran, and his name is on the Stanley Cup from his year with Penguins a few years ago. Mark is also a great leader, and he had the "A" on his jersey for a little while before he got injured to prove it. On the other hand, Milan Jurcina has one heck of a shot. At the Islanders skills competition before the season started, it was clocked at over 100 miles per hour. He also can make great checks, like you see in the videos above. He should be on the team in October. This does leave a few questions.

Goalies

Al Montoya---Rick DiPietro

Whether or not you like it, Rick DiPieto will be on the Isles active roster next year. Al Montoya, who the Islanders recently signed to an extension, will also be back. Who will start most of the time? That is a great question.

You may have questions, but I have compiled a list of the questions that this team needs to think about for next season.

• What is going to happen to stuck up goalie Evgeni Nabokov? Trade him? Will he show up?
• Will Zenon Konopka be an Islander in a few months? 
• Who are the Islanders going to draft? 
• Where is Jesse Joensuu on this list? 
• How about Kevin Poulin? 
• What about the other defensemen, like Bruno Gervais, Mike Mottau, and Jack Hillen? 
• Will the vote for a new arena get passed on August 1st? (VOTE YES!!!)

Alright, there are my predicted 2011-2012 Line Combinations. I hope you enjoy them. Have a great summer, and vote yes for the new arena on August 1. 

Lets Go Islanders! 

Time To Get Pumped

This should get you pumped for next year, so stop reading and watch:



Lets Go Islanders!!